Beth Boyd Park Upgrade

The exciting Beth Boyd Park upgrade is continuing, with improvements to the on-street carparking in John Street now commenced and expected to be complete by early February 2023 (weather permitting).

During construction, alternative parking locations include Mooroondu Road or along Queens Esplanade, with limited parking also available on John Street, opposite the park.

Some other fabulous Redlands Coast foreshore parks include Aquatic Paradise Park West in Birkdale, Raby Esplanade Park in Ormiston, and WH Yeo Park (Thompson’s Beach) in Victoria Point.

Council appreciates your patience and understanding while upgrades to Beth Boyd Park are completed.

The new maritime-themed play space is expected to open at Beth Boyd Park in Thorneside on Friday 23 December.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said she was pleased the majority of the upgraded park would be open in time for the busy Christmas holiday period.

“I know local families will be excited to see this park reopening on the foreshore, with a new boat play structure and other exciting new elements,” Cr Williams said.

“When designing the new-look park, we ensured we consulted widely to establish what locals, park users and the wider Redlands Coast community considered important.

“The works we’re undertaking will make this area an even more appealing drawcard for residents and visitors as a hub for fun outdoor play, relaxation and a place to soak in the natural attractions and views.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said the park upgrade reflected local appreciation for the popular foreshore area and its unique natural settings.

“Community consultation in 2020 revealed a high level of support for the upgrade; it is important to remember that locals also recognise and appreciate the natural connection Beth Boyd Park enjoys with the Thorneside foreshore and the sensitive species that inhabit the area,” Cr Bishop said.

“It’s good to see that adventure play and learning is central with creative play equipment such as a treasure dig, swings, climbing nets, a pedal coaster, trampoline, rope swing and a dry creek bed with water pump.

“For those wishing to picnic or sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular views, new barbecues and four shelters will also be available from 23 December.”

The park upgrade will include the addition of a multi-purpose sports half court and hill slides, which are expected to be completed by late February 2023, weather permitting.

This follows upgrades to the carpark and pathways, which were completed in August.

As a separate project, renewal of the John Street carpark is expected to start in February 2023.

Residents are reminded that dogs must be on leash at all times when in the park, and are prohibited adjacent to the foreshore and seashore at Beth Boyd Park.

Cr Williams said Council was committed to high quality planning and delivery of open spaces that support liveability, connectivity and community wellbeing.

“Creating a space that everyone wants to be in reflects best practice in planning, design and management, and I am confident that the improvements at Beth Boyd Park will see it become an even more popular and vibrant community hub,” she said.

New shelter and barbeque facilities at Beth Boyd Park in Thorneside

Upgrade works continue in Beth Boyd Park, with the focus now turning to the main play space, with a thematic twist.

Paying homage to its beloved locale, the maritime-themed play elements include a boat, treasure dig, swings, climbing nets, a pedal coaster, trampoline, rope swing and dry creek bed with water pump.

It follows the recent completion of other sections of the park, including picnic facilities, pathways and car parks.

These facilities are now open for use.

Making the most of its stunning bayside location, the park will offer residents and visitors a revitalised facility with greater practicality and no shortage of personality.

Overall completion of the exciting upgrade is expected by end of 2022. However, industry-wide material supply chain pressures and unpredictable weather may affect this.

Work on upgrading Beth Boyd Park is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2022, after the project was successful in securing funding in Council’s 2021-22 budget.

The upgrade will see renewal of the play space with pirate themed play elements and fabulous features including a bay swing, climbing nets, a water pump and discovery play.

Elements such as seating, shade and improved connectivity within the park will enhance the visitor experience and encourage people to stay a little longer.

To read more about how Council is investing in Redlands Coast’s naturally wonderful lifestyle, read the media release issued after the budget was handed down.

Council has now prepared the concept plan for the upgrade of Beth Boyd Park.

These plans have been based on the feedback and priorities of the community consultation as well as factoring in other principles of safety, accessibility, operational activities and State Government requirements.

The overall concept plan shows the general layout and relationship of planned embellishments. The Playground and Hill Slides Designs plans show more specific embellishment details, reflecting the marine theme and what we heard from the community.

Council acknowledges community interest in the play boat, but due to its poor structural integrity and position within the road reserve, coastal protection area (erosion-prone) and high storm tide inundation area, Council will be removing the existing play boat to allow for a new and improved foreshore experience. The Playground design plan shows a newer and bigger play boat structure within the upgraded play area.

Construction is planned for next financial year, subject to Council’s city wide prioritisation and budget approval.

Future updates will be provided via this project's Your Say page.

Over 130 individual survey responses, 400 survey site visitors and 1000 project website views were recorded for the Beth Boyd Park community engagement that closed on 31 August 2020.

Promoted through social media, site signage, Council’s website and 600 distributed newsletters, the engagement response highlights a strong community interest in Beth Boyd Park and broader Thorneside Foreshore Precinct along with its naturally wonderful foreshore setting.

Priorities identified by the community included;

• Foreshore experience improvements
• Additional shade
• Additional seating

Foreshore experience improvements were further described by respondents with comments such as maintaining the natural setting, providing additional sand, considering better ways to view the bay, enhancing foreshore water play opportunities, reinforcing connections with bay through signage, sculptural play and other elements.

Other nominated priorities included educational and interpretive signage, improvements to the existing sandstone block circle, and public art and lighting.

A focus of the engagement process was to identify the community’s preference for new play space themes and types of play experiences.

The clear choice for new play space theme was ‘maritime’ at almost double the next option of ‘coastal grasses’. Other suggestions included themes for birdlife, bush, and imaginative and completely natural themes. Preferred play activities included nature-based play, large scale climbing elements and dynamic play such as swings, rockers, spinners and the like.

Following almost 20 years of service, the boat’s end of life and is now upon us with removal planned for late 2020 or early 2021. Unfortunately, Council is unable to maintain the boat in its current form or location due to its poor structural integrity and position within the coastal protection area. Council plans on providing a newer and bigger play boat structure within the upgraded play area.

Work is now underway to further develop park upgrade designs with construction planned for next financial year, subject to Council’s budget approval.